606 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1870, 



uncivilly, I fear, I fell almost into a wrangle with him 

 directly. He even seemed to think us on the whole a 

 bigoted set here in Cambridge, rather a novel view 

 to us. . . . 



Well, I must break off. 



Our spring is tardy, after a wintry March. Only 

 snowdrops yet out in the Garden, and those in the 

 sunniest place, a lot which I brought with me from 

 England. For primroses we have to look into a cold 

 frame, in which they, with violets, have been blossom- 

 ing all the latter part of the winter. 



TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 



November 15, 1870. 



MY DEAR DE CANDOLLE, Many thanks for your 

 most kind letter of the 24th October. Taken along 

 with one from Mr. Bentham of about, the same date, 

 it gives me tidings of several of our French confreres, 

 who are now in such great tribulation. What a 

 change since last year, since last summer even ; and 

 for Mrs. Gray and me, how fortunate that we had our 

 visit made and over before the deluge ! And what 

 can be the end, and when ? It is useless to conjecture. 

 And now there is fear that while Germany is holding 

 the Gallic wolf by the ears, a situation growing daily 

 more uncomfortable and dangerous for Prussia, and 

 England is left quite alone, - Russia is to take a step 

 forward in the Black Sea, etc., which will greatly vex 

 England and Austria, and perhaps send the torch of 

 war all over Europe ; and if all closes up soon Europe 

 will feel this powerful Germany. But it may be the 

 better for Switzerland, whose danger is always from 

 France. It used to make me uneasy and indignant to 

 see the French flag on the shore of your Lake, where 

 it has no business to be ! 



